Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Arenal Volcano, Pacuare River, & Caribbean Beaches

Arenal Family Shot
Day 1 ------- Arrive and Travel to Casa Luna Lodge (Casa Luna Lodge or Manoa Resort)

Today we will meet you outside the airport where your private guide and driver will take you through the San Lorenzo Cloudforest and then drop down to the northern lowlands. Your final destination will be the perfectly cone-shaped volcano of Arenal. Here you will have the option of staying in the Casa Luna Lodge or a very small upgrade to the Manoa Resort. These are both beautiful 3 almost 4 Star hotels with excellent views of the volcano. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ------- Zipline & Hotsprings (Casa Luna Lodge or Manoa Resort)

Let the adventure begin! With over 70 different ziplines in the country you will have the chance to zip on SkyTrek, the one I still consider the best. The views of the volcano and the nearby lake make for a very scenic trip. The 700ft high cables and the 1km long cables make for a very adventurous ride as you can imagine. After the zipline we will take you into the town of La Fortuna to one of our favorite places for lunch and then in the evening you will relax at the Hotsprings of The Springs Resort. This is the best view of the voclano you will find and not to mention a great evening to relax in the thermal waters and enjoy a 5-Star dinner. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 3 ------- Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire Hotel)


Today after breakfast we will travel to the area of Turrialba. You will be staying in one of my favorite hotels in all of Costa Rica called Casa Turire. This is a beautiful hotel on a lake surrounded by mountains and the smoking Turrialba Volcano. Here we will be situated in a perfect area to enjoy some of Costa Rica's most scenic and adventurous rivers. (Meals: Breakfast)

Duckie Adventure
Day 4 ------- Raft Duckies in Pejibaye River (Casa Turire Hotel)

Get ready for some adventure as we give you your own paddle and your own duckie. We are going to be paddling down the Pejibaye River which is a small class II river that is very scenic and perfect for the sport of steering your own duckie. After a morning on the river we will head up to a local village where you can enjoy a homemade Tico meal prepared by families from the village and we can even show you some of the local dance. The afternoon will be spent relaxing back in the hot tub or pools of the Casa Turire Hotel. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Plenty of Waterfalls
Day 5 ------- Raft Pacuare River & Travel to Caribbean Beach (Almonds & Corals or Shawandha)


Today after breakfast we'll head to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Before we make the two hour drive to the Caribbean we will be rafting what National Geographic has listed as one of the top five most scenic rivers on the planet. The Pacuare River is a true gem with virgin tropical rainforest waterfalls and canyons from start to finish. After we pass through the port city of Limon you will be delighted to find some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica and laid back island atmoshpere that will make you want to give up your job and stay. When we arrive to the Caribbean you will have the option to stay in the Shawandha or the Almonds and Corals Ecolodge. Both are beautiful places to spend a few days. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)


Day 6 ------- Snorkel & Beach Day (Almonds & Corals or Shawandha)


Costa Rica often does not get the credit for having good snorkeling. One of the best parts about snorkeling in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side is that you can just walk from the beach and enjoy the snorkeling. We will visiting an area called Punta Uva where you will can do some good snorkeling. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ------- Beach Day (Almonds & Corals or Shawandha)


Today is your day to relax on the beach. This day can be filled with other activities like surf lessons or a walk down one of my favorite beaches to see sloths, monkeys, and even a little cave. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 ------- Fly Home!


This is a three hour drive back to the San Jose airport so depending on your flight time we will be making the drive back early or on day 7 and staying closer to the airport. (Meals: Breakfast)







Thursday, April 12, 2012

Costa Rica Corporate Travel

I would rather be Rafting Pacuare River
When Costa Rica is mentioned you think more of an ecotourism, family adventure, beautiful beach type destination. One thing that does not come to mind is getting off the plane in a suit and tie and jumping into some adventurous business planning.

With the recent infrastructure or hotels in the San Jose area, Costa Rica is looking to market another branch of Tourism. The market in Costa Rica back in the 70's was surfers searching for the great waves on the Pacific and Scientist for the Monteverde Cloudforest and lowland tropical rainforest. It slowly over the years changed to an ecotourism destination when companies started setting up adventure and tour companies to come see some of the many natural wonders in Costa Rica much of which my company offers today. 

With 50 years of no army and heavy education and a focus on health care Costa Rica developed in to one of the most educated countries with the best healthcare in the region. It was just a few years ago that a new tourism market burst on the scene and that was medical tourism in Costa Rica. Many of the private hospitals, doctors, and hotels in the central valley of San Jose area have opened it's doors to the industry of Medical Tourism working together making it a growing industry every year.

The most recent market to come on the scene is Corporate Tourism and is a market that should not be overlooked by tour operators and hotels. It is becoming so big that some hotels are in the process of being built just for the Corporate Market. It is exciting and you might start seeing some guys with suits and ties rafting some of Costa Rica's rivers during their corporate travels. You just better remind them so they don't forget that their Crackberry's are not waterproof.


Costa Rican Resource
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Students - www.crrtravel.com
1-855-CRR-TOUR
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info@crrtravel.com

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Holy Week in Costa Rica

Another beautiful morning in Costa Rica. Today is the start of holy week here in Costa Rica. If you have planned your family vacation for this week you can expect many things to be closed, no alcohol to be served, and many processions In the streets. It is a week filled of many traditions and celebrations of the Catholic and Christian holiday of holy week. Many Costa Ricans travel to the beach this week and celebrate the last official week of the dry season. Many local places are closed while all the touristy attractions remain open. Have a fun and safe holy week from your friends at Costa Rican Resource.